Course Description

In addition to assisting their patients in selecting the appropriate instruments, hearing care professionals are faced with choices and decisions about the protocol that they use for assessments, fittings, and follow-up. Specifically, they must decide what test and tools to include, how (and when) to introduce them, and what findings to look for.  For maximum impact, these selections must strike a balance between the potential patient outcomes and the time and ease of implementing them.

This workshop provides both objective and subjective tools and techniques to facilitate these decisions. Focusing on probe microphone measurements (PMM) and hearing instrument test box (HIT) options, a range of procedures that can be used at various points of the fitting process will be discussed and demonstrated. Highlights include OnTarget, a new precision fitting tool; and HI Transition, a procedure designed to facilitate the challenges that can be encountered when helping patients move forward with evolving amplification systems. Additionally, the role and impact of sound quality will be demonstrated and techniques for harnessing the power of 2.4GHz technology and wireless accessories will be discussed.

An overview of integrated software-driven supplemental tests (such as speech-in-noise testing and loudness scaling) will be provided. Information about both the value of these tests and how they can be implemented in a time-efficient manner will be provided.

Learner Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Have enhanced understanding of the correlation between fitting protocol components and patient outcomes
  • Describe how these tests and tools can be incorporated into their clinical routine
  • Discuss the influence of sound quality on hearing instrument user success
  • Explain the components of PMM fitting, including how and when they can be applied
  • Understand how (and when) to incorporate HIT (coupler-based) techniques
  • Discuss the advantages of 2.4GHz technology for wireless communication

0.4 CEUs